NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/3/05 There have been snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds. Drifted snow is continuing to build deep accumulations of windslab on Easterly through to South-Westerly aspects above 600 metres. Easy releases were observed on graupel layers during field tests at 1090 metres on a South-East aspect. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/3/05 Further snow showers on strong North-Westerly winds will affect the area. Avalanches are likely due to weakly bonded windslab continuing to build on sheltered North-East through East to South-Westerly aspects above 600 metres. Unstable cornices will also affect these aspects. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow at all levels, deep drifts above 600m. ICING: Mostly buried under deep snow. COMMENT: Skis, snowshoes or a strong trailbreaker recommended for travel. LOCHABER AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/3/05 The distribution of localised areas of unstable snow is very varied and can now be found on many aspects above 950m. More recently, Westerly winds are further loading sheltered areas with unstable snow. Greatest accumulations are on North- East to South facing scarp slopes and crag aprons. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). Recent avalanche debris observed on several Easterly aspects on Aonach Mor. AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/3/05 Snow showers and strong NW winds will further load sheltered areas with unstable snow. Greatest accumulations will be on East, South-East and South facing scarp slopes and crag aprons. Avalanches are likely in these locations. Localised areas of unstable snow will also be present on many other aspects above 950m. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Fresh unstable snow forming in the strengthening Westerly winds. ICING: Remaining cold, so ice should remain good. COMMENT: Strengthening winds overnight. GLENCOE AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/3/05 There are very light accumulations of new snow above 750m: these new deposits have not been significant. However the strong NW winds have scoured and transported snow into sheltered locations forming layered windslab. The greatest accumulations are in sheltered hollows and gullies with an E to S aspect above 850m. Loose snow instability exists on steep scarp slopes and in sheltered gully exits. The avalanche hazard is Moderate (Category 2). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/3/05 Snow showers accompanied by very strong NW winds will affect the area during Friday night becoming less frequent during Saturday. Accumulations of windslab will continue to form on E to S aspects and in sheltered locations mainly above 850m. Where deep accumulations of windslab exist they will be moderately bonded especially on steep scarp slopes and gully exits. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow above 550 metres with best cover above 750m in Northerly corries ICING: Freezing level around 250m. COMMENT: Forecast is for more snow (showery). Most higher gullies will have some weakly bonded snow deposits and caution is required. Buttresses and ridges the safer option. Winds could be gale force! SOUTHERN CAIRNGORMS AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/3/05 There was a trace of overnight snow with infrequent light showers this afternoon. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab is present on SE through S to W aspects above 600 metres. Greatest hazard is to be found in steeper sheltered locations above 900 metres where drifting of deposits is forming fresh windslab. The dry layered snow continues to demonstrate deep- seated weakness. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/3/05 Overnight snow showers will continue through the morning only. Moderately to weakly bonded windslab will be present on E through S to W aspects above 600 metres. Greatest hazard will be found in steeper sheltered locations on E through S to SW aspects where avalanches are likely due to strong winds rapidly forming fresh windslab. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Unstable cornices will form. CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Snow from valley level with good cover on the high plateau areas and S aspects. ICING: Continuing cold throughout the period. COMMENT: High pressure moving in during tomorrow. CREAG MEAGAIDH AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS FRI 4/3/05 After a bright start it turned wintry after 1130hrs when strong North-North-West winds began to feed in regular snow showers. This snow has been loaded as weakly bonded windslab on to sheltered steep East to South-facing slopes and gullies above 750 metres. Stability is very poor in these locations and continues to decline. Debris from a loose snow avalanche noted and dry slab avalanche activity observed on a steep South-East aspect of Coire Chriochairein at 1325hrs. The avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3). AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK SAT 5/3/05 It will remain wintry with cold temperatures, strong North-West winds and snow showers that will die out on Saturday afternoon. Poorly stabilised windslab will continue to be loaded on to steep East to South-facing slopes and gullies above 750 metres where avalanches are likely. Many of these places will be overhung by new, fragile cornices. Wind-exposed locations will be hard, or crusty, and stable. The avalanche hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). CLIMBING CONDITIONS SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Best above 400m. ICING: Crags well plastered with fresh snow, eerily quiet and very atmospheric. COMMENT: Hard going off the beaten track with treacherous breakable crust and drifted snow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------